Insert on Dialogue
Place DXLink on your Dialogue track or bus. It processes the DX signal passing through its main input.
New in DXLink 1.0.1
Follow the change.
Follow the change.
Protect the words.
DXLink 1.0.1 is a reference-relative dialogue / music level follower. It compares the score with its normal level, then turns the difference into a smooth, predictable dialogue ride for film, OTT, broadcast and audio post.
Version 1.0.1AAX NativeVST3AU (Mac)macOS + WindowsApple Silicon / Intel / AMD x64Layouts through 7.1.2
Introductory price · USD · Secure Payhip checkout
macOS WindowsView full-size interface ↗
Music vs referenceDXLinkDialogue ride
Reference-relative riding
A more predictable DXLink.
Version 1.0.1 rebuilds the ride around one clear relationship: current MX level minus its normal reference, multiplied by Follow, then contained by Max Up and Max Down.
Manual or AutoSet MX Reference yourself, or let Auto learn the underlying music bed without chasing short swells or silence.
Proportional FollowA 50% Follow setting transfers approximately half of the music's movement to the requested dialogue ride, before limits and smoothing.
Up Only by defaultMax Down now defaults to 0 dB, so DXLink can protect dialogue without reducing it below unity unless you choose otherwise.
Smoother responseFaster attack, a controlled release, an internal hold, deadband and soft knee keep the ride responsive without twitching or pumping.
Linked multichannel processing
Dialogue buses from Mono to 7.1.2.
DXLink uses an external mono music sidechain while applying one linked ride across the supported dialogue bus. The DAW must expose both the selected channel layout and the required sidechain or Key Input.
Layouts
MonoStereo5.05.17.07.17.0.27.1.2
Dialogue pathMain input, with linked gain riding and limiter processing across the active bus.
Music analysisExternal mono sidechain or Key Input supplied by a compatible host.
Automatic dialogue ridingThe score moves.
The score moves.
Keep the words with it.
Music levels rarely stay constant. A score may sit quietly under dialogue, then suddenly build by 10, 15 or even 20 dB. Keeping dialogue intelligible traditionally means riding the DX bus throughout the mix.
DXLink 1.0.1 measures how far the music has moved above or below its normal reference level. Follow determines how much of that change reaches the dialogue, while Max Up and Max Down define the permitted range.
Use Manual MX Reference when you want a fixed baseline. Use Auto when you want DXLink to establish and slowly adapt to the underlying music bed while letting short swells drive the ride.
When dialogue is absent, DX Activity helps prevent unnecessary boosting of room tone and gaps. When music disappears, Auto Reference freezes and the ride returns smoothly toward unity. This is a dynamic relationship between Dialogue and Music, designed for audio post. It is not music ducking or compression.
Watch DXLink in action
See the dialogue ride follow the MX.
This short demonstration shows how DXLink responds as the incoming Music level moves, translating that relationship into a smooth, controlled Dialogue ride.
MX movementDXLink measures the incoming score against its MX Reference.
FollowThe Follow setting determines how much of that movement is transferred to Dialogue.
Ride limitsMax Up and Max Down keep the resulting ride inside the range chosen by the mixer.
DXLink dialogue ride demonstrationWatch on YouTube ↗
From routing to riding
Four steps. Your mix stays in control.
Let music guide the ride while you decide its strength, range and response.
Send Music to the key
Feed your Music bus into the external mono sidechain / Key Input so DXLink can measure the score against its reference.
Choose the reference
Set a Manual MX Reference, or select Auto to learn the normal music bed. Follow, Max Up / Down, Attack and Release shape the response.
Let DXLink ride
Dialogue follows the music's movement within the limits you set, then returns smoothly toward unity.
Built for real mixing workflows
Every part of the ride, considered.
Perceptual analysis, deliberate response and linked multichannel control, organized around the decisions you make in a session.
Music analysis
- Reference-Relative MX Engine
- DXLink reacts to how far the current music moves from its normal level, not simply to an absolute threshold.
- Manual / Auto MX Reference
- Set the baseline directly or let a slow adaptive reference learn the underlying music bed.
- Dialogue-Masking Weighted Detection
- A smooth, transient-resistant control detector reduces the influence of sub-bass and emphasizes music energy that competes with dialogue. The audible Music signal is not EQ'd.
- Internal Deadband + Soft Knee
- Very small changes around the reference are ignored, then introduced smoothly before the full Follow relationship takes over.
Ride range and response
- Proportional Follow
- Choose how much of the MX change reaches Dialogue: at 50%, a +6 dB MX change requests approximately +3 dB before limits and smoothing.
- Max Up
- Set a strict ceiling for positive dialogue rides without changing detector sensitivity.
- Max Down + Up Only
- Permit a controlled negative ride when needed, or leave Max Down at its 0 dB default so dialogue is never reduced below unity.
- Faster Attack / Smooth Release
- Respond quickly to a genuine music swell, then bring dialogue back toward unity more gradually to avoid pumping.
- Internal Hold
- A short hold stabilizes the ride through rapid loud-quiet-loud changes without adding another front-panel control.
Dialogue activity and safety
- DX Activity Detection
- Avoid aggressive riding of room tone or silence between dialogue lines.
- Stable Auto Startup
- Auto waits for valid music and establishes its baseline before normal riding begins, avoiding an unexpected boost at playback start.
- Silence-Aware Reference
- Auto freezes the learned reference when the music sidechain falls silent while the dialogue ride returns toward unity.
- Linked Safety Limiter
- Protect the processed DX output with an adjustable ceiling, defaulting to -0.1 dBFS.
- Limiter Gain Reduction Meter
- See clearly when the safety limiter is working.
- Safe Bypass
- Latency-compensated, smoothed bypass avoids clicks and stale gain jumps when the processor is re-enabled.
Multichannel linking and metering
- Eight supported layouts
- Work in Mono, Stereo, 5.0, 5.1, 7.0, 7.1, 7.0.2 and 7.1.2.
- Linked processing
- Apply the same DX Ride and limiter gain across the complete multichannel stem, preserving its internal balance.
- Layout-Consistent Behaviour
- The ride is designed to respond consistently across supported dialogue layouts rather than becoming stronger as channel count increases.
- Clearer MX / Ride Feedback
- Monitor the learned reference, current MX relationship, dialogue ride and limiter activity while you work.
Presets and automation
- Retuned Factory Presets
- Version 1.0.1 presets are calibrated for reference-relative riding, including conservative dialogue-protection starting points.
- Professional Preset System
- Use Save As and user preset management to store settings for your own workflows.
- Host Automation
- Automate DXLink parameters directly from supported DAWs. Existing plugin identity and parameter IDs are preserved for update compatibility.
Retuned factory presetsBehaviour that travels
Behaviour that travels
from cue to cue.
Because version 1.0.1 rides changes around a reference, presets describe a response rather than depending on one absolute music level. Choose a starting point, refine it to the scene, and save your own settings.
Balanced
Everyday reference-relative dialogue/music riding
Gentle Follow
Subtle, transparent dialogue protection
Fast Dialogue
Quicker response to changing score
Heavy Score
Stronger riding for dense or loud music
Aggressive Ride
Maximum intervention for difficult relationships
Made for your Mac or PC session.
| Version | DXLink 1.0.1 |
|---|---|
| Platform | macOS 11 or later Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) |
| Architecture | Mac: Apple Silicon + Intel Universal Binary Windows: Intel + AMD x64 |
| Formats | AAX Native + VST3 on Mac and Windows Audio Unit (AU) on Mac |
| Channel layouts | Mono / Stereo / 5.0 / 5.1 / 7.0 / 7.1 / 7.0.2 / 7.1.2 |
| Music input | External mono sidechain / Key Input |
| MX Reference | Manual / Auto |
| Default ride mode | Up Only (Max Down 0 dB) |
The Windows installer includes Standard AAX for supported surround and height layouts, or Legacy AAX for older Pro Tools systems using conventional layouts up to 7.1. Install one AAX edition at a time. Close your DAW and rerun the installer to switch editions. Channel layouts and external-sidechain availability depend on your DAW, plugin format and selected edition.
External sidechain required.
Your DAW or host must be capable of routing an external mono sidechain / Key Input to DXLink.
Route the Dialogue signal through the main input and the Music signal to the sidechain. Set a Manual reference or let Auto learn the normal music bed; linked ride and limiter processing preserve the internal balance of supported multichannel dialogue stems.
Installation and activation
Close your DAW, then run the macOS PKG or DXLink_Windows_x64_Setup.exe. On Windows, select VST3, AAX or both, and choose Standard or Legacy AAX. Reopen your DAW and activate online with your purchase email and license key. Your license supports up to two computers across Mac and Windows.
Included downloads
macOS PKGWindows EXE20-page PDF manual
For help checking your setup, contact hello@soundfreakstudios.com.
DXLink 1.0.1 FAQ
The new ride, routing and compatibility.
What does DXLink do?
DXLink compares music from an external sidechain with its MX Reference and applies a smooth, controlled gain ride to dialogue. It creates a dynamic dialogue/music relationship rather than compressing or ducking the music.
What is new in DXLink 1.0.1?
Version 1.0.1 introduces reference-relative riding, Manual and Auto MX Reference modes, proportional Follow behaviour, an Up Only default at Max Down 0 dB, faster response, an internal deadband and soft knee, improved silence handling, and retuned presets.
What is the difference between Manual and Auto MX Reference?
Manual lets you set the normal music reference directly. Auto learns the underlying music bed slowly, freezes its reference during silence, and lets short swells appear as positive MX changes instead of chasing them. Switching modes transfers the current reference for a smooth learn-then-freeze workflow.
Can DXLink protect dialogue without turning it down?
Yes. With Max Down at its 0 dB default, DXLink operates in Up Only mode: it may raise dialogue when music rises above the reference, but it will not reduce dialogue below unity.
How do I route the sidechain?
Insert DXLink on your Dialogue track or bus, then feed your Music bus into its external mono sidechain or Key Input. Your DAW or host must support this routing.
Does DXLink work on Windows?
Yes. DXLink includes AAX Native and VST3 for Windows 10 and 11 on 64-bit Intel and AMD systems. The signed Windows installer offers Standard or Legacy AAX.
Which formats and channel layouts are included?
DXLink 1.0.1 includes AAX Native and VST3 for macOS and Windows, plus Audio Unit (AU) for macOS. Mac builds are Universal for Apple Silicon and Intel; Windows builds support Intel and AMD x64. It supports Mono, Stereo, 5.0, 5.1, 7.0, 7.1, 7.0.2 and 7.1.2. Layout availability depends on the DAW and plugin format.
Can DXLink ride a 7.1.2 dialogue bus from a mono music sidechain?
Yes. DXLink supports a 7.1.2 dialogue layout while using an external mono music sidechain or Key Input. Linked processing applies the ride across the multichannel dialogue bus so its internal balance is preserved. The host must expose both the dialogue layout and the required sidechain routing.
What happens between dialogue lines or when music stops?
DX Activity Detection helps avoid aggressively riding room tone and silence when dialogue is absent. In Auto mode, the MX Reference also freezes through music silence so the stored baseline does not drift, while the dialogue ride returns smoothly toward unity.
Related guides
Plan the dialogue and music relationship.
DXLink 1.0.1 by Sound Freak StudiosYour music's baseline.
Your music's baseline.
A dialogue ride you can trust.
Set the reference or let Auto learn it. DXLink follows the score's movement within your limits, then returns dialogue smoothly toward unity.
Buy DXLink · $29 Version 1.0.1 · Introductory price · AAX + VST3 · AU (Mac) · macOS + Windows · Layouts through 7.1.2